anxiety
Counselling Services for Waterloo Region
Our anxiety does not come from thinking about the future, but from wanting to control it.
Anxiety is a normal and even healthy part of being human. It signals to us when there is a risk or threat, and triggers a fight, flight, or freeze response. However, anxiety can also kick in when there isn't danger, causing an exhausting and often debilitating set of symptoms.
It can impact us in a variety of ways:
- racing heart
- tightness in the chest
- shortness of breath
- nausea
- sweating
- racing thoughts
- catastrophizing
- obsessive thoughts
- compulsive behaviours
- phobias
- anxiety attacks
There are also different types of anxiety disorders that you may have heard of or been diagnosed with: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Phobias, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. To get a brief overview of each of these disorders and their symptoms, click here or here.
If anxiety is getting in the way of your work, relationships, or day-to-day living, consider counselling as a helpful resource.
Additional Resources
Anxiety Disorders Association of Canada: General information and resources
Anxiety BC: General information, apps, self-help strategies & more for adults, teens, and kids
3 Tips for Calming Your Anxiety: A brief article on addressing your anxiety
community resources
Queen Street Yoga: A yoga studio that offers workshops for anxiety and depression.
CMHA: The association offers several self-help and peer support groups for anxiety and depression.